Ophthalmic mounting



Nw., il@ 3%@ M. E. LEVY 2,2998? @Mmmm MOUNTING Filed. April. 5; l 5 SheS-Shee l Nov 114, 1950 l M', E, LEVQY 2529987@ OPHTHALMIG MOUNTING Filed April's, 194s s, sheets-sheet 2 rwentor Mnme E. ,im/@yA Nov. 14, 1950 M. @..LEVQY OPHTHALMIC MouNTNG 5 SheeJts-Shee't 75 Filed April 3, 194B fig, if

Cttorneg Patented Nov. 14, 1950 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE]A Y Y 2,529,879 l l Y oPH'rHALMIo MOUNTING Monroe B. Levoy, Newtown, Conn. Application April 3, 1948., Serial N o. 18,840

1 Claim.

' 'I lfiisrinventionv relates to ophthalmic mountings such as longnettes, Oxfords, spectacles, eyeglassesl `and industrial goggles.

" Ophthalmic frames made of plastic are readily"formed by'rnolding procedures. However, such frames must include metal hinges for mounting temple bars on the front. `This in turn in- 'volvsfthe' lnecessity of rivetinghinge elements 4Atdl rim portions of the front and to the'front "endsfo'f the temple bars. It is not possible to Iintegrally moldhinge elements or lugs on the plasticv frames, since such elements would not not have the necessary strength. 'Accord'ingly, it` is4 an5`0bject of this inven- `tion to--provide an improved ophthalmic mounting or frame which comprises a front and temple'b'ars which are in the form ofA integral die cast members of a metal selected for its ylightness Vand pliability, said front and temple bars including as integral portions thereof, cast attaching lugs.

, Another object of this invention is to provide an ophthalmic frame or mounting formed from a metal or metal alloy blank which is distinguished by its lightness, pliability and strength. More particularly, lsuch mounting may be made die casting the linetal or metal alloy to pro- V vduce an integral blank which includes split lens or rim portions interconnected by a bridge portion, the rims being formed with projecting integral lugs for hinging temple bars thereto. The metal used issuch as will lend itself to surface treatments: for producing colored ornamental effects and bending and shaping operations incident to the tting of the frame.

Yetanother object of this invention is to provide an ophthalmic mounting formed by die casting an integral blank of pliable metal or metal alloy which lends itself to surface coloring o r ornamentation by means of platinganodizingfor lacquering processessai'd die castblank including a pair of split rims interconnected by a bridge, the: outer end portions of the rims being slightly spaced4 from each other and having integral temple attaching lugs extending therefrom. The rims arer adapted to bemilled after castingyto form lens receivingfg'rooves therein. When the blank is anodised and colored, the finish is not Vaffected by the bending operations which are necessary to bring the spaced split portions of the rims into abutment with each oth L A further object of this invention is to provide in an article of the character described, a cast ophthalmic frameof pliable metal which includes an integral front, a pair of split rims interconnected by a bridge, the rims having integral tem'- ple attaching lugsy disposed at the ends lof the split portions thereof and aligned withrse'ach other,A and temple Ybarsvcas't of similarmetals, which are formed with spaced integrali `lugs adapted to be disposed Yon either side ofthe lugs on the lens rims and in aligned relation thereto, said aligned lugs being formed-with registering through openings, and means'disposed in the registering openings in said lugs for interconnecting the' split end portions ofsaid rims in abutting relation and pivotally attach,- ing to the rims said ltemple bars, said interconnecting and vpivot means being' formed of ametal harder than the metal of which said` frame and 'temple bars is formed, the metal of Whichvthe front and temple bars are formed being pliable at room temperature so as towpermit the shaping and bending of portions of bothmfrontand temple bars, as an incident to the fitting of the ophthalmic frame, and'to retain the shaped or bent/form when so bent. V n

Still a further object of this invention islgto 'provide an vophthalmic mounting in the form of a cast light .metal blank, including a pair'of split rim portions interconnected by a bridge portion, the 'split' ends of said rirn l portion being'adjacenteachother and formed with in- -tegral'temple attachingV lugs, the opposed ends of the split rim portions being formed With longitudinal complementary tongue and groove portions, the blanks being adapted to be milled tov form-lensA receiving grooves in the rim portions, the split portions of said rims being adapted to be bent vto bring'the opposed ends thereof into abutment with each other and the complementary tongue and grooved portions into interengaging relation whereby the ends `of the lens receiving Y lgrooves'in the split rims are brought into accurate registering relation and the integral lugs "are brought intol alignment With each other.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an ophthalmic mounting which shall be relatively inexpensive toY manufacture, Which shall lend itself to quick assembly of its parts, which shall be readily ornamented, which shall be readily'tted Without the need for special tools; and Will'provide a mounting whichis light, comfortable tothe Wearen pleasing in appearance, and efficient to' a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention Will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The-invention accordingly consists in the features, @i construction,combinations (if-elements,

and arrangement Y of parts, which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational View of the ophthalmic mounting, showing the temple bars in dotted outline, made in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the temple bar;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of` the temple bar;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational viewV of a. portion'of' the front used in the mounting shownin Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the hinged connection of the temple bars and the abutting ends of thelens rim;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the joint between the abutting outer end portions of the rims and the-temple bars shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7a is an enlarged cross sectional View similar to Fig. 7 and. illustrating `a modified construction;

Fig.` 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged top view of an end portion of the lower arm ofY the blank shown vin Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a. sectional view taken on the line I |I I ofFig. l;

Fig. 12 isan end View of the side supporting portion of the bridge of the blank shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 13- is are-ar elevational View of an ophthalmic mounting blank and illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a top plan View of the blank shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. l5 is an enlarged perspective view" showing the hinged connection between the abutting outer'ends 0f the rim portions of the blank shown inFig. 13, and an associated temple bar;

Fig. 16- is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the joint between the abutting'ends of the rim portions of the blank shown in Fig. 13 and the associated temple bar, and

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to Ythat of Fig. 16 and illustrating a modified construction.

Referring now in detail to'the drawings, III designates an ophthalmic mounting or frame einbodying the invention; The same comprises. a front I with temple bars 2 hinged thereto.

The front I comprises a `central bridgeportion on either side of ywhich issymmetrically disposed-and integrally connected thereto, rim or lens receiving portions generally designated` as IIa.

The bridge II comprises a central portion I2 having aface |2a, a concavely. curved upper edge I3, a concavely curved lowerfedge |4, and curved side edges I4a. The facel I'2a is-formed with 'a downwardly inclined nose. support surfacef I5 which extendsl to the loweredge I 4.

Extending outwardly from either' side of the bridge I and integral therewith are the lens carrying or rim portions I-Ia. Each of the portions I Iacomprises an outwardly-extending upper arm I6A of generallyrectangular cross sectiOn The arm I6 comprises `a convexly curved top edge I1 and parallel faces Ila, I'Ib, extending downwardly from said edge. The outer end portion I8 of arm I6 is enlarged and comprises a vertically disposed end edge |8a extending downwardly from the edge I1, and an inwardly and longitudinally extending edge I9. The arm |6 further comprises a curved bottom edge 20 extending from the inner end of edge I9 to the upper end ofv4 curved edge I4a on? the centraliY portion I2.

The rims IIa. further ycomprisel curved lower arms 2| which extend outwardly of the central portion |2 of bridge II. 'I'he arms 2l have a transverse cross section similar to that of arms I6 and comprise a curved bottom edge 22 and parallel faces 22a, 22h, extending from edge 22. The arms 2| further comprise enlarged outer end portions 23 complementary to enlarged portions |8`on arms I8. The enlarged portion 23 comprises an outwardly curved edge 23a extending from edge 22 and an edge 24 extending from edge 23a. Extending transversely and inwardly from edge 24 is a longitudinally disposed edge r25 which is complementary to edge I9 on arm I6. The arm 2| further comprises a curved inner edge 216 which extends from the inner end of edge 25 to the lower end of curved edge |4a.

The edge I9 on arm I6 is formed with a longitudinally extending groove 21 which extends from edge Ia to edge 29. Edge 25 on arm 2| is formed with a longitudinally extending rib or tongue 28 complementary to groove 21 and which extends from edge 24 to edge 26.

When the endv portions I8, '23, are in abutting relation, the edges I8a, 24, thereof are in vertical alignment. The edges |8a, 24 are bevelled as at 30 towards the surfaces I'Ia, 22a for the. purpose yhereinafter appearing.

Extending 'From'end portions I8 on the arms I3 are integral temple attaching lugs 33 projecting outwardly of face I'Ia. The lower longitudinal edge of the.v lugs are coextensive with the edge I9 on the arms. Similar lugsv 34 are disposed on the arms 2| with their upper edges coextensive with edge 25 thereof. The lugs 33, 34 are disposed inwardlyV of the edges Ia, 24 on the end portions I8, 23 respectively. The lugs are adapted to abut each other when the arms 2| are bent upwardly to bringfthe edges25-thereof into abutment with edge |9011 arm I6, the rib 28 becoming engaged` in groove2'|., as shownin Fig. '7. The interengaging tongue and groove prevent relative movement of the abutting-arm portions in directions normal to the frame front. The lugs 33, 34 are formed with through openings 35, 35, respectively, which are adapted to register when the outer ends of the arms I6, 2| abut each other.

Projecting from the upper ends of edges 22 on arms 2| adjacent the curved edge I4 are integral triangular shapednose rests 39 which areV suitably curved. After the front has been cast the rim portions Ela. thereof are milled on the edges 20, |441., 26, to form lens receiving. grooves 40..

There is further providedY a pair of temple bars 2 for hinged attachment to thefront I. Eachof the bars 2 may be castk from metal or metal. alloy similar tol that'of which front is made. The bars 2. comprise'elongated members 4| which have.` a greater width than thicknessand include flared inwardly curved end portions 4 I a at the rear. end andtransverse bevelled edges 42 at the frontend. thereof. The front end of the bars also comprise integral rsp aced; horizon@VV tally disposed, .attaching lugs 45, 46 which are formed withl aligned through openings 41, 48 respectively. The lugs 45, 46 are disposed adjacent the bevelled edges 42.

In assembling the temple bars 2 with front I, 'the lugs l45, 46 on the bars are disposed on either side Aof the lugs 33, 34 on the rim portions of the front. The openings in the superposed lugs are then in registered relation. A bushing 50 anged at oneend is,disposed in the opening 48 in the lugs `46, with'the fiange portion thereof abutting the lower edge of the lug. The bushing 50 has an externally knurled outer surface 5I and an internally threaded surface 52 which is adapted to receive a screw 53 having its head abutting the upper edge of lug 45, as shown in Fig. 7. The bushing and screw hold the abutting ends of the rim portions together as well as forming a hinge means for the temple bars 2 relative to the rim portions I Ia. The bushing 50 may be made of' a metal such as steel or the like which is harder than the cast metal of which the frame and 'temple bars are made'. In this form of hinged construction, there is no need to form the lugs with threaded openings which would be subject to wear. The wear incident to the hinged movement of the temple bars relative to the front, is concentrated in the hard metal bushings which are resistant to such wear. The knurled surface 5I on the bushing 50 prevents the bushing from turning in the lugs while the screw 53 is being screwed into the threaded portion of the bushing. The head of screw 53 spans the opening 41.in lug 45.

. The mounting IIJ is adapted to receive lenses 55 which may be inserted into the lens grooves 40 in the lens portions IIa.

Y The vertically disposed bevelled ends 36 on outer edge portions of the arms I6, 2| will accommodate the beveled ends 42 of temple bars 4I, when the bars are in extended position.

The front I may be formed by die casting a light metal or metal alloy in the form of a single member shown in Fig. 5. The front will then include as integral parts thereof the bridge portion, rims, nose rest, and temple attaching lugs. The blank may be of cast aluminum or an alloy which comprises aluminum and magnesium wherein the magnesium content can range up t0 6%. 4% is particularly adapted for making frames embodying the invention. Such an alloy is distinguished by its lightness, strength and ductility. Such an alloy has the weight of about .092 pound per cubic inch, a tensile strength of 35,000 pounds per square inch, and a yield strength of 20,000 pounds per square inch. The alloy is ductile and pliablel at room temperature. The resultant blank is readily processed to ornament the same electrolytically anodising the blank and applying dye or pigment to the treated surface. Alternatively, the blank may' be electroplated with gold, silver or rhodium to produce a desired finish. The blanks may also be ornamented by means of sprayed lacquer coatings. The temple bars 2 are similarly cast as integral members and similarly ornamented.

The anodised and colored blank is readily bent to bring the outer ends of arms 2I into abutment with the outer ends of the arms I6. The complementary rib and groove on the meeting portions of the arms, accurately register the arms relative to each other and prevents movement thereof in directions at right angles to the linear edges I9, 25 thereof. Additionally, the interen- An alloy having a magnesium content of gaging rib andgroove on the abutting portionsr'of the arms serves as means for registering the ends of the groove 40 on the arms 16,1 23 aswell as aligning the temple attachingrlugs 33, 34.

It is noted that the ornamental coatings on the blank are not cracked or fractured, despite the bending of the arms into abutting relation. The ductility and pliability of the metals and metal alloys used in making both front and temple bars permit the shaping and bending of various por tions of the mounting at room temperatures .when the mounting is being fitted.

It is understood that in casting the blank III, the curvature of the arms I6, v2I is predetermined so as to conform to the curvature of the lens 55, subsequently insertedv in the lens receiving grooves 40 of portions IIa.

, The relative position ofv the aligned lugs 33, 34 0n the front and the lugs 44, 45 on the temple bars will determine the inclination of the temple barsrto the front. in both extended and folded positions. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the bars are positioned in crossed relation when in folded position.

In Fig. 7a is shown 'an alternative construction for` hinging the temple bars to the frame,'similar to that shown in Fig. 7 except as hereinafter described. The temple bar isprovided with lugs a and 46a. Lug 45a is formed with a counterbored through opening 41a and lug 46u. is formed with a threaded opening 48a. The temple bars are mounted on the frame so that the lugs 45a, andl 46a are disposed on either side of lugs 33, 34 on the frame and with openings in the. lugs in registering relation. A headed pivot screw 53a is screwedinto the threaded lug 46a, thus hingedly interconnecting the' temple bars to the frame, as well as securing the abutting ends of the arms I6, 23 together.

In Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 is shown an embodiment of the invention andillustrating a modification thereof. The same comprises a frontv blank which includes a bridge 6I similar to bridge -I I previously shown.y vThe bridge 6I includes. a central portion 62 and curved edges 63, 64 and 64a as well as an inclined surface 65 corresponding to parts I2, I3, I4, I4a and I5, respectively, as previously described. The blank 60 comprises rim portions 66 which include curved upper arms 61 having upper edges 61a and enlarged end portions 68. The end portion 68 includes an end edge 68a, from which there extends a longitudinal edge 59. The arm '61 further comprises Vcurved lower edges 69a which merge at vthe inner ends thereof with curved edge 64a.v The rim portions 66 fur= ther comprise lower arms 1B which extend downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of curved edges 64a at either side of the central portion 6I.

The arms 10 comprise an enlarged outer end portion 10a which includes an inner edge 1I ex tending `from the lower portion of curved edge 64a and terminating in an upwardly curved edge portion 12. A linear edge 13 extends from edge 12 transversely thereof. The edge 'I3 is complementary to edge 69 on arm portion 68. From edge 13 there extends transversely thereof an edge 14. An upwardly and inwardly inclined edge 15 ex-. tends from edge 14 and from which there extends an outer edge 16 parallel with inner edge 1 I.

The end portion 68 on arm 61 is formed with a longitudinal groove on edge 69 and end portion 10a is formed with a longitudinal rib or tongue 8l on edge 13 which is complementary to the groove.

lThearm portion 63 includes an integral temple attaching lug B2 projecting therefrom slightly above'edge 69.V Arm 10 includes a similar lug 83 spaced below edge 14 and adapted to clip itself with lug 82 when arm 1E) is suitably bent as hereinafterdescribed. The lug 82 is formed with a counterbored opening 85 and lug 83 is formed with a threaded opening 8B adapted to vbe aligned with opening 85.

The blank 60 may be die cast as an integral member'from a light metal such as aluminum or the aluminum-magnesium alloy previously de scribed'. Simultaneously with the die casting operation, the blank is formed on the edges 12, 64a, 69a ofrm portions 66, .with a continuous lens groove 81,

The blank thus formed may be anodised and colored; electroplated or lacquered, in the manner previously described.

The blank is then Yconverted into a front by bending' the arms 10 in suitable curved form, bringing the edge 13 thereof into abutting relation` to edges on arms 61. The ribs 8| on arms 10 Vwill then becomeengaged in groove B0 on arm 61. y v

vWith the blank (ll'inl suitably bent front form, temple' bars 90 maybe llfiingedly attached thereto. The bars 9D are'provided at the front end projecting from the innerl face' thereof, with a lug 9| formed with a through opening 92. The bars are mounted on the frame with the lug 9| disposed between lugs 82, 83. The opening 92 in the lug 9|- will then' register with openings 85, 86 in lugs 82, 83 respectively. A headed pivot screw 94 secures the abutting ends of arms 61 and 'i0 together'and additionally interconnects the temple bars 9U with the frame, the screw being screwed into the threaded opening 86 in lug B3.

As shown in Fig. 17the temple bars may be hinged to the frame by means of a flanged bushing 50' and screw 53, in the manner previously described, to avoid the necessity of threading, the openings in the lugs. As shown in the4 gure, the lugs 82a, 83a on the arms of the frame are formed with aligned through openings 85a and 86a respectively; Thelug 9| on the temple` bar is positioned between lugs 82a, 83a, the opening 92 therein registering with openings 85a, 86a. The iianged threaded bushing 50 is inserted' in the opening 86a in lug 83a and the screw 53 is received in the bushing to hingedly interconnect the 'bars and frame. Y l

V'The mountings maybe made by die casting the front and'temple bars from Zinc or zinc alloys. Such blanks may be electroplated withgld, silver, rhodium or theolike, to provide the same with an ornamented finish. Alternately, the cast zinc blanks may be ornamented with lacquered coatings.

It" will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might Y be 8 made of the above invention; andas' various changes might be made; in the embodiment above set forth', it" is to'be' understood* that all" matter herein set forth or shownV in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

This application is a continuation in part of application SerialNo. 733,555, ledMarchjlOth, 1947, now abandoned.

Having thus described my invention, what'I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent of the United States, is:V

Spectaclesv comprising a frame formed. o ff cast malleable aluminum and having a bridge and lens receiving rims integral therewithV andleX- tending from. opposite sides of the bridge, saidrims each consisting. of upper and lower arms curvedl longitudinally.. andV having inner ends merging into each Aother and adjoining side por? tions of the bridge, the outer ends of thearms being free from each other and inwardly increasing in width and forming enlarged outer end portions havingelongated inner edge faces, said v inner edge faces being one formed intermediate its widthY with a ribV extending its full length and the other with a rib-receivingV groove, hinge ears formed integralwiththe enlarged end portions of said arms and extending rearwardly therefrom and formed with aligned openings, templesV formed of malleable aluminum having front ends formed with integral hinge ears projecting laterally from their inner side faces and disposed in overlapping relation to the hinge ears of the arms and formed with openings registering with the openings therein, and fasteners passing through the registering openings and serving as pivot pins forl the templesand as the sole means for the securement of the outer end portions of the upper and lower arms together with the ribs seated in the grooves and bracing the arms against movement relative to each other.

MONROE B. LEVOY..

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

